Anxiety Support Groups

Anxiety support groups, or anxiety self help groups, can be a valuable
part of your recovery, and I encourage you to find one. It's not an an "either/or" choice between self-help and professional help.
Both can be helpful!

The help you get in a support group comes mainly from your interaction with the other members. The strength of the group
comes from the members' personal experiences with anxiety, rather than from professional training. This doesn't mean
that the group can't be professionally led, but that the main direction comes from the members,
rather than the leadership.

How to Find an Anxiety Support Group

There are several nonprofit organizations which maintain listings of
anxiety support groups around the country. Start by looking at the listing hosted by the Anxiety & Depression Association of America. The Obsessive Compulsive
Foundation has an international listing on their website.If you're looking for groups for trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling), skin picking, nail biting and similar behaviors, check with the TLC Foundation.

If
you can't find a group in your area, you might want to consider
starting one yourself. All the organizations mentioned above have
helpful information to share about starting a support group.

Phone First!

If possible, call the contact person before you attend, to get additional information about the group. Questions to ask include:

* what happens in a typical meeting?

* are spouses and support people welcome to attend?

* is there a fee and, if so, how much?

* is it OK to just observe without participating the first time?

Making advance contact with the group will probably make your
first arrival there a little more comfortable, because you'll have
already "met" one member, and you'll have a better idea of what to
expect.

On the other hand, if you have phone phobia, and avoid talking to people on the phone, disregard this advice for now. You can get to that problem later.

What to Look for in an Anxiety Support Group

Following are some of the important qualities of a good support group.

* All members share a common problem.

* Information and education is part of the group process.

* The group promotes a goal focused approach, and encourages members to discuss their specific goals each week.

* The group is supportive and respectful of member needs, but
does not have overly protective rules, i.e., forbidding mention of symptoms.

* Complaining and sharing of misery is kept to a minimum.

* The group maintains an open mind toward the treatment
choices of its members, and does not attempt to replace
or replicate professional treatment

* The group is run for the benefit of members, and not as
a source of clients for a particular therapist or agency.

* Confidentiality is protected and respected.

* The group maintains an "open door" policy which makes
it easy for people to join or leave the group.

* Only one person talks at a time. No one dominates the discussion.

* Fees are low, and exist only to support the cost of
group meetings and educational materials.

How to Evaluate an Anxiety Support Group

Consider the following points when visiting a group.

* Does the group make new members and visitors feel welcome?

* Would I be comfortable sharing my struggles with these
people? Can they help me? Can I help them?

* Are meetings held at a time and place reasonably convenient
for me to attend?

* Is there helpful give-and-take in the group? Does the group
give everyone a chance to participate without getting bogged
down on just one or two individuals?

* Are people actually making progress as a result of their
participation in the group?

* Do members set goals for themselves, and achieve them?

* Do group members refrain from offering each other advice
about medications (leaving that to the prescribing doctor)
and instead focus on what they can do for themselves?

* Does the group provide current, reputable information about anxiety disorders from established sources?